Western False Asphodel: Carnivorous Flower Stem for Nitrogen

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The western false asphodel (Triantha occidentalis) has been identified as a carnivorous plant, specifically preying on insects during its flowering season through sticky threads on its flower stem, similar to sundew plants. This adaptation allows the plant to digest insects for nitrogen, which is scarce in its soil environment. The discussion also references the genus Philcoxia, known for its underground leaves that capture soil nematodes. A participant expresses interest in finding plants that can attract and digest Japanese beetles and brown marmorated stink bugs, noting the absence of Japanese beetles since a raspberry patch died back, while stink bugs remain prevalent. Additionally, there is mention of potential biological control through samurai wasps.
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The western false asphodel (Triantha occidentalis) has been shown to be carnivorous, but only on the stem of it's flower (so only in flowering season).
Screen Shot 2021-08-10 at 2.34.24 PM.png


Insects get stuck on sticky little threads on the flower stem and then get digested there (kind of like a sundew plants does).
Screen Shot 2021-08-10 at 2.34.53 PM.png


News article from Science.
NY Times article.

One of the articles also mentioned the genus Philcoxia, another kind of carnivorous plant I had not heard of. It grows underground leaves to gather very small soil nematodes.

In all cases, the plants do this to get nitrogen, which they can not get from the soils in which they grow.
 
Last edited:
Biology news on Phys.org
That's awesome. Nature rulz!
 
BillTre said:
The western false asphodel (Triantha occidentalis) has been shown to be carnivorous, but only on the stem of it's flower (so only in flowering season).
I'd like to find a plant that attracts and digests Japanese beetles and brown marmorated stink bugs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_marmorated_stink_bug

Since the raspberry patch died back, we haven't seen Japanese beetles, but we see many stink bugs, mostly those that wintered in the siding and window frames.

I've seen fly traps and pitcher plants in the area, but non in our neighborhood.
 
Astronuc said:
I'd like to find a plant that attracts and digests Japanese beetles and brown marmorated stink bugs
Samurai wasps are coming for rescue!
 
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